Recommended by Asher Wyndham

HAHAHAHA! Definitely a winner for actors and the audience. A physical, lyrical zany comedy that gets better page after page. What makes the janitor such a winning character makes this play original, even if it borrows heavily from Shakespeare plays. Try to stop yourself from laughing after the reading. Directors, actors PRODUCE THIS PLAY or I will came after you with a toilet plunger!

The world, the atmosphere, the smells, the emotions, the distance between bodies and the coming together of bodies, the humor, the sorrow... A play that will remain with you for a long time.

Fenbert has wonderfully created two distinct personalities --warring young twins -- in only a few pages. You could argue they are exaggerations of siblings; however, the tension in the bedroom, the wrestling, the insulting is totally believable. You probably can relate; you acted like Polly or Wilfred when you were young or act like one of them now as an adult with your sibling. This play would be a great exercise for directing students and young actors, and also a smart choice for a comedy festival.

A female Christmas elf...I think that's a first. Another memorable buffoon who wants more out of life. She may remind you of yourself. I would love to see Gingerbell again.

You've probably read/seen a play about strangers coming together, but this play's concept and its execution makes it memorable, never cliche. The dialog, at times stalled by silence, is painful, heartfelt. Yes, this play takes place in a specific time and place, but it's for all time, for anyone anywhere because it speaks to us; it's universal with what it says about tragedy, misery, loneliness and suffering. Contains a powerful monologue for an actor.

Haas wonderfully explores identity and anxiety in this unusual short play. Most short plays, actually most plays that are produced (I think) are naturalistic; so it was a pleasure to read something outside-the-box. I liked how the psychological/emotional state - what's in Alice's head - is externalized on the page/stage -- that's super rare. If you liked Erin Courtney's DEMON BABY, you might like this play.

More than just a topical play, more than courtroom drama, Kelly's WC forces you to ask an important question -- Is truth changeable? Kelly examines the concept of objective truth through scenes of interrogation, attorney-client and courtroom exchanges. Don't take this play as just about an ideological war between America and the Islamic State; it's a play about people, about us -- about who or what determines truth. His dialog is impressive, so believable, as if he actually listened outside the door of an ICC chamber.

Koppen captures perfectly the frustration an adult child feels when criticized by his/her bizarre parent. A totally relatable play with plenty of laughs.

This is a perfect competition monologue for a young actor. It's a powerful historical play that makes you think about children today who are fighting in civil wars all across our globe.

An unexpected, intelligent comedy inspired by an iconic photograph. Yes, it's silly at times because it's a great short comedy, but it's serious in its artistic intention. The woman's monologue near the end is perfect, brilliant in what it says about women and their relationship to war. Bravo.